Chicago Dining Away From Town

Chicago foodies need not abandon local restaurants or restaurateurs when they leave town. Among the far-flung examples of Chicago-owned and Chicago-inspired dining are the following:

The Boca Raton (Fla.) Resort & Club is home to Nick`s Fishmarket, a pastel-hued cousin of the Chicago-area restaurants that has much the same menu. There`s also a Nick`s Fishmarket in Honolulu-but Nick sold that one in 1985; his Hawaii location is called Nicholas Nickolas, The Restaurant, and it sits atop the Ala Moana Americana Hotel in Honolulu.

There`s a Morton`s in Los Angeles, run by two of Arnie Morton`s children, Peter and Pam Morton. The decor includes ceiling-high palm trees and a canopied bar; the menu includes blue crab cakes, grilled lamb and-no doubt a homage to Dad-Caesar salad.

Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises has expanded well beyond the Chicago area. There are Ed Debevic`s restaurants in Beverly Hills, Phoenix, Torrance

(Calif.) and Osaka, Japan. There`s also Don & Charlie`s, a rib and chop house in Scottsdale, Ariz.

One Mellon Bank Center, an office complex in downtown Pittsburgh, is home to three Levy Restaurants properties. The Carlton is a clubby, fine-dining room featuring prime meats and fish; Eadie`s Kitchen, like its namesake in Sears Tower, is a very casual breakfast-and-lunch spot; and Eadie`s Market has a carryout menu. Levy Restaurants also operates two highly themed restaurants in Pleasure Island, part of Walt Disney World in Orlando. The Fireworks Factory features barbecued chicken and ribs, much like Randall`s Rib House;

and Portobello Yacht Club is a seafood-and-pasta restaurant with gourmet pizzas.

Former Chicagoan Bob Payton opened the Chicago Pizza Pie Factory in London 12 years ago. He now owns 19 overseas restaurants, with names like The Windy City Bar and Grill and Chicago Rib Shack.

Chicago`s pizza fame continues to grow thanks to Pizzeria Uno Restaurant and Bar, a restaurant chain that grew out of Pizzeria Uno. The chain numbers nearly 60 franchises including ones in Boston, San Francisco, Australia, Canada and London.